Backgammon Opening Moves: Split Plays
During the opening moves of a game of backgammon you may sometimes find that the best move for a certain roll is to split your back checkers (also called runners since they trail the rest of the pack). An opening like that is called a split play. We'll take a quick look at the different openings and check out what is the correct move for each split play in backgammon.
Split Play #1 the Six-Three Opening: The correct move for this split play is to split your back checkers by doing a 24/18 and bring a checker down from the 13-point (also known as the mid-point) to act as a builder. The correct move for this split play is to do a 24/18 13/10.
The idea behind this move is to own the 18-point by slotting it. This bar point is an important position in backgammon. Your checker on the ten-point serves as builder and adds to your coverage of the backgammon board.
Split Play #2 the Six-Two Opening: The move for this split play is similar to the first and the strategy is almost the same. The correct move for this split play is 13/8 24/23. With the move 24/23 you have a great coverage of your opponent's side of the backgammon board.
Split Play #3 the Five-One Opening: The correct move for this split play is to do a 13/8 24/23. This unstacks the 13-point and gives you better coverage.
Split Play #4 the Four-One Opening: The correct move for this split play is 13/9 24/23. The same strategy also applies like the five-one split play.
Split Play #5 the Two-One Opening: You should do a 13/11 24/23 for this split play. The idea is the same as the five-one and the four-one split play.
Split Play #6 the Five-Four Opening: The correct move for this play is to do a 13/8 24/20.
Split Play #7 the Five-Two Opening: The correct move is to do a 13/8 24/22.
Split Play #8 the Four-Three Opening: You can either play this as 13/9 24/21 or 24/20 13/10. This move makes a gamble wherein any of the blots you make may get hit. The good side to this move is that this play gives sets you up for other plays.
Split Play #9 the Three-Two Opening: You can play this as 24/21 13/11 which is a conservative move and develops both sides of the backgammon board. You can also do a 13/10 13/11, which is quite daring but a rather calculated risk.
Split plays give you a lot of strategic opportunities in backgammon. Practice each one well to understand what strategies come with each play.
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